Fantasy Lakes and Mountains Holidays

FANTASY LAKES. MOUNTAINS AND HOLIDAYS An Unexpected Summer Journey This summer, embark on an adventure far away from your usual beach escape. Instead, take a journey through the lakes and mountains of Middle Europe, where destinations full of myth and magic still exist. JU TALY The Dolomites The pale Dolomites bear the faded scars from battles past. But as day fades to night, the mountainsides are painted in the colour of natural light, changing from pink to blue. Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, is blessed with a backdrop of green hills and olive groves. As the birthplace of the violin, enchanting melodies can be heard playing in the lakeside villages in the evenings. Verona The Dolomites Lake Garda GERMANY Munich Affectionately known as the Bavarian Sea, Chiemsee Lake boasts the exquisite unfinished palace of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. It sits atop an island floating on deep dark waters, only accessible by boat. Chiemsee Chiemgau Alps Ruhpolding Surround yourself with the stirring scents of the flowering Chiemgau Alps. Wander in the foothills where villages such as Ruhpolding continue Bavarian folk dancing and finger-wrestling traditions. Chiemgau Alps Chiemsee AUSTRIA Wolfgang alzburg Mountains Kaiser According to the legend that gave Lake Wolfgang its name, Saint Wolfgang, who lived atop Falkenstein Rock, threw his axe towards the lake and decided to build a church where it landed. The church still stands, as Looming over the landscape below, the numerous peaks of the Kaiser Mountains appear as an imperial crown on the skyline. The highest peaks of its ridges are known as the Emperor and Empress. does the rock, which locals believe can absolve you of your sins if you crawl through the hole in its centre. Lake Wolfgang Kaiser Mountains SWITZERLAND Bernes Long known as the unconquerable mountain, the Matterhorn instils awe and wonder in everyone who sees it. Rumours tell of a haunted city at its peak, but tucked below its cliffs lies a quaint, sleepy village brimming with flowers and still using horse-drawn Geneva Lake carriages. Matterhorn The Switzerland and France share Lake Geneva and it's obvious why both countries lay claim to it: the glassy lake is surrounded by vineyard clad hills and snowy peaks... and a statue of Freddy Mercury. Lake Geneva The Matterhorn SOURCES Thomson Lakes & Mountains www.thomsonlakes.co.uk http://www.bergen-chiemgau.de http://www.mygermancity.com/herrenchiemsee-castle http://wheretogo-bymariahardy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/herrenchiemsee-king-ludwigs-palace.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_geneva http://www.bigsiteofamazingfacts.com/why-is-the-matterhorn-in-switzerland-famous http://www.lake-garda-revealed.com/lake-garda-history.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/9132902/Lake-Garda-Italy-the-glories-of- Italys-largest-lake.html http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/dolomites http://www.visitdolomites.com/en/dolomites http://www.italy-facts.net/the-dolomites.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiser_Mountains http://www.weissesroessl.at/en-st-wolfgang-austria.htm http://www.stwolfgang.at/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=91&Itemid=111&lang=en http://wolfgangsee.salzkammergut.at/en/detail/article/history-of-st-wolfgang-1.html Venice Lake